Funbox vs Toybox: Which Is Right for Your Kid?

If you are shopping for a first 3D printer for your child, the Funbox vs Toybox debate comes up fast. Both machines are built specifically for kids, both print in PLA, and both promise simple one tap printing that a young child can handle. This guide compares the UGEE Funbox with the Toybox Alpha Three, the current flagship kids printer from Toybox Labs. 

Funbox vs Toybox at a Glance

Two patterns stand out. The Toybox Alpha Three costs less right now and offers the bigger content ecosystem. The Funbox leads on enclosure, certified safety, air filtration, and build volume. The sections below unpack each row.

Price and Bundle Value

The UGEE Funbox sells for a flat $299.00. That price includes the fully enclosed printer with its built in HEPA and carbon filtration system, and every core feature works without a membership.

Toybox sells the Alpha Three in bundles, and the bundle math changes often. As of August 27, 2026, the official Toybox store lists:

• Pro Saver Bundle: $149.00 on sale (regular $469.00). Printer, one spool of Printer Food, one EZ-Peel bed, 5,000 Bolts, and one month of Toybox Pro.
• Starter Bundle: $209.00 on sale (regular $435.00). The core printer package with filament to start printing.
• Deluxe Bundle: $259.00 on sale (regular $489.00). Printer plus eight spools of Printer Food.

Two honest takeaways here. First, on pure entry price, Toybox wins today. A $149.00 sale price for a real kids 3D printer is aggressive. Second, Toybox pricing rotates constantly, and the regular prices are far higher, so the gap between the two machines depends heavily on when you buy. The Funbox price is steadier, and every feature is included from day one.

Build Volume and Print Quality

This is the clearest hardware difference between the two machines. The Funbox prints inside a 120 x 120 x 120 mm build volume. The Toybox Alpha Three prints inside roughly 70 x 80 x 90 mm (2.75 x 3.2 x 3.5 inches).

In practice, the Funbox can produce a toy that is nearly twice as tall in a single piece. The Toybox is designed around small, quick prints: figures, rings, cars, and trinkets sized for its catalog. Larger Toybox models are split into parts that snap together after printing, which many kids enjoy as a building activity in itself.

On detail, Toybox says the Alpha Three prints up to 2x faster with 1.5x finer detail than its predecessor, at around 200 micron resolution. For PLA toys at this scale, both machines produce clean results that kids are proud of. If your child dreams of printing a big dinosaur in one go, the Funbox has the room. If quick, small wins keep your child engaged, the Toybox is tuned for exactly that.

Safety, Enclosure, and Home Use

For most parents, this section outweighs any spec sheet.

The Funbox is fully enclosed, runs on 12V low voltage power, and carries UL GREENGUARD, ASTM F963-23, and EN71 certifications. An H12 HEPA filter paired with activated carbon treats the air inside the chamber, and the machine runs at about 46 dB, quiet enough for a bedroom or a classroom corner. Little hands stay outside the enclosure while it prints.

The Toybox Alpha Three uses a compact open design. It is small, light, and easy to move between rooms, and Toybox has years of experience shipping kid focused printers. An open frame does mean the moving parts and the nozzle area are reachable during a print, so younger children should print with an adult nearby. Toybox also does not publish air filtration or noise figures for the Alpha Three.

Both printers use PLA, the most kid friendly common filament. For peace of mind in a shared living space, the Funbox has the stronger safety story. For supervised printing on a desk, the Toybox works well. For a deeper look at what makes a kids printer safe, read our guide on 3D printer safety for kids.

Apps, Toy Catalogs, and Design Tools

Hardware is only half of a kids printer. The software decides what your child actually prints.

Toybox has the strongest content ecosystem in this category, full stop. Its free catalog holds over 7,000 printable toys, including licensed characters unlocked with Bolts, the in app currency included with bundles. Kids browse, tap, and print from iOS, Android, or a web browser. With a Toybox Pro membership (from $18 per month, one month included in Pro bundles), the Magic AI tools turn a text prompt or a photo into a printable 3D model. Kids can also upload their own STL files.

The Funbox takes a simpler route through the UFun app. Kids pick a model from a curated library, tap once, and the print starts. The flow is deliberately minimal, which suits younger children who just want to see a toy appear. The Funbox also accepts standard 3D files for families who want to go beyond the built in library.

Our honest read: Toybox wins this section. Its catalog is enormous, the licensed content is a genuine draw, and the AI design tools are the most creative feature in the kids printer market right now. 

Ongoing Costs: Filament and Memberships

Both printers use PLA filament, the cheapest and safest common material. The Funbox prints with standard PLA spools you can buy anywhere. Toybox uses its own Printer Food spools, sized for the machine, and refills are bought from the Toybox store.

The bigger ongoing cost to consider is the Toybox Pro membership. The core catalog of 7,000+ models is free, and you do not need Pro to print. But the Magic AI design tools, a headline feature, sit behind a subscription starting at $18 per month after the included trial month. Over two years that adds up to over $400 if your family keeps it.

The Funbox has no membership. Every app feature and the full model library are included with the machine, and standard PLA keeps material costs low and flexible.

Funbox vs Toybox: Which One Should You Choose?

Choose the Toybox Alpha Three if:

• You want the lowest entry price today. At $149.00 on sale, nothing in this category undercuts it.
• Your child wants a massive ready made catalog, including licensed characters.
• AI design tools excite your family, and a Toybox Pro membership fits your budget.
• Your printing will be supervised, and small, quick toys are the goal.

Choose the UGEE Funbox if:

• You want a fully enclosed printer for a younger child, with certified safety (UL GREENGUARD, ASTM F963-23, EN71).
• Air quality matters. The H12 HEPA and carbon filtration system is unique in this category.
• The printer will live in a bedroom or shared space, where 46 dB operation and an enclosed chamber matter.
• You want bigger single piece prints from the 120 mm build volume.
• You prefer everything included upfront, with no subscription.

Neither machine is a bad choice, and the two brands push each other in ways that benefit parents. If you are still weighing options, our best 3D printers for kids in 2026 roundup covers the full category. Our guides on the benefits of 3D printing for kids and 3D printing STEM projects for kids show what children actually do with these machines once the novelty wears off.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Funbox or the Toybox cheaper?

As of August 27, 2026, the Toybox Alpha Three starts at $149.00 on sale, and the UGEE Funbox is $299.00. Toybox runs frequent promotions, so its price moves often, and its regular prices run up to $489.00. On today's prices the Toybox is cheaper, sometimes by a wide margin. Check both product pages before you decide.

Which printer is safer for young kids?

The Funbox has the stronger safety package for young children: a fully enclosed chamber, 12V low voltage power, UL GREENGUARD, ASTM F963-23, and EN71 certifications, plus H12 HEPA and carbon air filtration. The Toybox Alpha Three is an open design that works best with an adult nearby while it prints.

Do you need a subscription for Funbox or Toybox?

The Funbox needs no subscription at all. Every app feature is included. The Toybox catalog of over 7,000 models is free, but the Magic AI design tools require Toybox Pro, from $18 per month after the trial month included with some bundles.

Which printer makes bigger toys?

The Funbox. Its 120 x 120 x 120 mm build volume is nearly twice the height of the Toybox Alpha Three and its roughly 70 x 80 x 90 mm print space. Toybox splits large models into smaller parts that kids assemble after printing.

Can kids design their own toys on both printers?

Yes, in different ways. The Toybox Pro Magic AI tools generate printable models from text prompts or photos, and both machines accept uploaded 3D files. The Funbox keeps creation simple through the UFun app, while Toybox offers the deeper design toolkit.

Final Thoughts

The Funbox vs Toybox decision comes down to priorities, and both brands have earned their reputations. The Toybox Alpha Three delivers the bigger content ecosystem and, right now, the lower price. The Funbox delivers the enclosed, certified, filtered, and quieter package with the larger build volume and no ongoing fees. Pick the one that matches your child and your home, and you will not go wrong. If the Funbox sounds like your fit, you can see current pricing on the Funbox product page.